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Camp So-and-So
The letters went out in mid-February. Each letter invited its recipient to spend a week at Camp So-and-So, a lakeside retreat for girls nestled high in the Starveling Mountains. Each letter came with a glossy brochure with photographs of young women climbing rocks, performing Shakespearean theatre under the stars, and spiking volleyballs. Each letter was signed in ink by the famed and reclusive businessman and philanthropist, Inge F. Yancey IV.
By the end of the month, twenty-five applications had been completed, signed, and mailed to a post office box in an obscure Appalachian town.
Had any of these girls tried to follow the directions in the brochure and visit the camp for themselves on that day in February, they would have discovered that there was no such town and no such mountain and that no one within a fifty-mile radius had ever heard of Camp So-and-So.
By the end of the month, twenty-five applications had been completed, signed, and mailed to a post office box in an obscure Appalachian town.
Had any of these girls tried to follow the directions in the brochure and visit the camp for themselves on that day in February, they would have discovered that there was no such town and no such mountain and that no one within a fifty-mile radius had ever heard of Camp So-and-So.
424 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2017
200 people are currently reading
2387 people want to read
About the author
Mary McCoy
4 books225 followersMary McCoy is a librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library. She has also been a contributor to On Bunker Hill and the 1947project, where she wrote stories about Los Angeles's notorious past. She grew up in western Pennsylvania and studied at Rhodes College and the University of Wisconsin. Mary now lives in Los Angeles with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
April 28, 2017
I will be forever slightly stranger for having witnessed this story. That's a five star service, in my book.
March 13, 2017
At first I was really disoriented by CAMP SO-AND-SO (as, I’m sure, were all the campers I was reading about). It’s a very non-traditional story told from multiple viewpoints in third person omniscient that tells multiple stories that are otherwise connected, but functioning independently from each other. It’s very strange but I adored the voice so I pushed through and I’m so glad I did.
What a fantastic story. Every time I’m surprised by a Carolrhoda Lab book and I shouldn’t be because I’ve loved nearly every book I’ve read from them. They just know how to pick them. And CAMP SO-AND-SO is no exception. It’s campy (ha!) but in a grounded sort of way that mixes in the supernatural and the faery world in a way that perfectly blends together. Despite the fact that you literally have twenty-five different characters you’re following I never lost track of any of them (okay, I may have mixed up the girl in the orange hoodie and the girl with beads in her hair a couple times toward the end, but I think I’m a little justified there considering what happened between the two). They’re all completely independent of each other and they stand out against each other.
CAMP SO-AND-SO was a downright fun book. It had the very quirky camp feel, but completely upended that entire trope on its head and nearly bastardized the whole idea. I loved it. I also loved that not everyone come out unscathed. Or at all. That appeased my blackened soul nicely. And the ending fit nicely with the overall tone of the book: fun and quirky with a dark underlying tone lurking just beneath the surface of the world McCoy created. Awesome.
It’s a story that’ll appeal to the younger reluctant YA reader for all the action and playing around the story does along with the older YA reader who’s looking for something different, but still plays to known tropes within the genre (camping genre? is that a thing?). I was never a camp person (I was allergic to the outside when I was little, camp probably would have killed me) and CAMP SO-AND-SO made camp both appealing and appalling all at the same time. Although I’m pretty sure that was the point.
An excellent read, I highly recommend McCoy’s book. There’s literally something for everyone (a hint of romance, the supernatural, super villains, the outdoors, an epic quest, and stagehands!).
4.5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a fantastic story. Every time I’m surprised by a Carolrhoda Lab book and I shouldn’t be because I’ve loved nearly every book I’ve read from them. They just know how to pick them. And CAMP SO-AND-SO is no exception. It’s campy (ha!) but in a grounded sort of way that mixes in the supernatural and the faery world in a way that perfectly blends together. Despite the fact that you literally have twenty-five different characters you’re following I never lost track of any of them (okay, I may have mixed up the girl in the orange hoodie and the girl with beads in her hair a couple times toward the end, but I think I’m a little justified there considering what happened between the two). They’re all completely independent of each other and they stand out against each other.
CAMP SO-AND-SO was a downright fun book. It had the very quirky camp feel, but completely upended that entire trope on its head and nearly bastardized the whole idea. I loved it. I also loved that not everyone come out unscathed. Or at all. That appeased my blackened soul nicely. And the ending fit nicely with the overall tone of the book: fun and quirky with a dark underlying tone lurking just beneath the surface of the world McCoy created. Awesome.
It’s a story that’ll appeal to the younger reluctant YA reader for all the action and playing around the story does along with the older YA reader who’s looking for something different, but still plays to known tropes within the genre (camping genre? is that a thing?). I was never a camp person (I was allergic to the outside when I was little, camp probably would have killed me) and CAMP SO-AND-SO made camp both appealing and appalling all at the same time. Although I’m pretty sure that was the point.
An excellent read, I highly recommend McCoy’s book. There’s literally something for everyone (a hint of romance, the supernatural, super villains, the outdoors, an epic quest, and stagehands!).
4.5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2017
CAMP SO-AND-SO by Mary McCoy
I am ecstatic that I bought this book, because I found it totally enrapturing. It's sort of Appalachian rural fantasy plus Fae plus twists and turns that try the most intellectuallt brilliant reader, scares and dangers that awaken even the most jaded reader, and the coming-of-age of a sizable number of characters. There is brainwashing and personality separation, warmth and affection (possibly even love), friendship and tension and fear. In short, the novel has about everything, including a setting, a premise, and a plot line that is so outre, yet so engrossing. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say: if you love “urban fantasy” played out in a scenic mountainous setting; if you love fairy tales or the classic Greek gods and their ilk; if you cheer for strong female characters (both “good” and villainous are included); if you sympathize with weakness and empathize with characters who have failings, read CAMP SO-AND-SO.
I am ecstatic that I bought this book, because I found it totally enrapturing. It's sort of Appalachian rural fantasy plus Fae plus twists and turns that try the most intellectuallt brilliant reader, scares and dangers that awaken even the most jaded reader, and the coming-of-age of a sizable number of characters. There is brainwashing and personality separation, warmth and affection (possibly even love), friendship and tension and fear. In short, the novel has about everything, including a setting, a premise, and a plot line that is so outre, yet so engrossing. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say: if you love “urban fantasy” played out in a scenic mountainous setting; if you love fairy tales or the classic Greek gods and their ilk; if you cheer for strong female characters (both “good” and villainous are included); if you sympathize with weakness and empathize with characters who have failings, read CAMP SO-AND-SO.
August 14, 2020
This book was so weird and I bloody loved it!
October 19, 2017
This was a totally expected book for me. I picked it up because how can you not want to read it after that summary??
- I loved how each of the five cabins got their own mini adventure and they all came together in the end. It made the story SO much more fun and each story had pieces to the final puzzle in them. Each story was very different from the other but since they were all set at this same camp they all fit together perfectly. It was a lot of fun to read.
- There was also a spooky sounding narrator that popped in every once and a while to either give us some background information or fun comments. It was a really cool way to write the story but I think it'll be hit or miss with people. I thought it made the story a little funny at times but it was also a great way for the narrator to give us information about the characters that we might not have known otherwise.
- My only complaint was that I found the middle section to be a little boring. Nothing that made me want to give up reading but I also didn't mine putting the book down for a while. It's not the 'on the edge of your seat' kind of book. It's more of a subtle story with a puzzling mystery mixed it. It was definitely different from anything I've ever read.
- Bonus points for having a diverse range of characters while not being the key point of the story. One character struggles with the other kids knowing she likes girls while another mentions how she doesn't fit in because of the colour of her skin. Both very real problems kids have today but luckily both characters found their place at this camp. Isn't that what camp is supposed to help you do after all?
- If you like a lot of character development in your stories then this isn't the book for you. There's lots of characters and they're all great but this is a very plot oriented book and it's meant to be that way.
- I loved how each of the five cabins got their own mini adventure and they all came together in the end. It made the story SO much more fun and each story had pieces to the final puzzle in them. Each story was very different from the other but since they were all set at this same camp they all fit together perfectly. It was a lot of fun to read.
- There was also a spooky sounding narrator that popped in every once and a while to either give us some background information or fun comments. It was a really cool way to write the story but I think it'll be hit or miss with people. I thought it made the story a little funny at times but it was also a great way for the narrator to give us information about the characters that we might not have known otherwise.
- My only complaint was that I found the middle section to be a little boring. Nothing that made me want to give up reading but I also didn't mine putting the book down for a while. It's not the 'on the edge of your seat' kind of book. It's more of a subtle story with a puzzling mystery mixed it. It was definitely different from anything I've ever read.
- Bonus points for having a diverse range of characters while not being the key point of the story. One character struggles with the other kids knowing she likes girls while another mentions how she doesn't fit in because of the colour of her skin. Both very real problems kids have today but luckily both characters found their place at this camp. Isn't that what camp is supposed to help you do after all?
- If you like a lot of character development in your stories then this isn't the book for you. There's lots of characters and they're all great but this is a very plot oriented book and it's meant to be that way.
August 1, 2020
Truly Imaginative
An incredibly unique story that I did not want to put down. There are a lot of characters and a narrator but the novel was easy to follow. I loved the summer camp setting and the twists and turns that the story took.
An incredibly unique story that I did not want to put down. There are a lot of characters and a narrator but the novel was easy to follow. I loved the summer camp setting and the twists and turns that the story took.
June 27, 2017
"This quest is not a summer's game.
It is not safe, it is not tame.
Consider this before you pack -
Some of you may not come back."
This was a fascinating and interesting story with the love for summer camp, quests and villains, but also the fun fantasy magic and horror. There were so many twists and turns, I was glad it was broken into acts. And even though the cast was huge (5 cabins with 5 each + counselors, counselors in training and many others) - it was easy to keep track of the because each chapter was labeled a Cabin number and the symbol to associate with their story line. The whole book was also broken into Acts, to know when major events were happening and when the midway point was turning the plot.
I loved the twists and turns but I must admit my favorite was the end - when the narrator gave us the endings - good or bad - and let us know how it would all be in a far away time. Such a great way to end it all.
It is not safe, it is not tame.
Consider this before you pack -
Some of you may not come back."
This was a fascinating and interesting story with the love for summer camp, quests and villains, but also the fun fantasy magic and horror. There were so many twists and turns, I was glad it was broken into acts. And even though the cast was huge (5 cabins with 5 each + counselors, counselors in training and many others) - it was easy to keep track of the because each chapter was labeled a Cabin number and the symbol to associate with their story line. The whole book was also broken into Acts, to know when major events were happening and when the midway point was turning the plot.
I loved the twists and turns but I must admit my favorite was the end - when the narrator gave us the endings - good or bad - and let us know how it would all be in a far away time. Such a great way to end it all.
May 23, 2017
This book is so deliciously weird and interesting.
Cabin in the Woods + Midsummer Night's Dream + sleep-away camp independence + a distinct cast of interesting characters all carefully layered into an interesting weave with metacognitive storytelling. Stranger things have been published, but they are rarely this satisfying.
Cabin in the Woods + Midsummer Night's Dream + sleep-away camp independence + a distinct cast of interesting characters all carefully layered into an interesting weave with metacognitive storytelling. Stranger things have been published, but they are rarely this satisfying.
May 25, 2017
This was a straaaaange little book. It certainly kept me intrigued. I would be interested to meet the student who would put in the work to track with this book through the end. Glad I picked it up, but I don't think I'll be adding t mo my classroom bookshelf.
December 22, 2017
25 girls are selected to attend Camp So-and-So, but if any of them had done their research, they'd know that something is very, very strange about their camp.
Cabin 1 is trying to overcome their differences so that they can beat the neighboring fancy-pants camp in a series of classic camp competitions.
The girls of Cabin 2 have found themselves in a blood-drenched nightmare, recalling classic horror tropes.
The girls of Cabin 3 discovered a prophetic-sounding inscription in their cabin. They're on a quest to defeat..something so that they can rescue...something else. They're sure they'll figure it out eventually.
The girls of Cabin 4 have found their soul mates and have grown obsessed.
Cabin 5 was almost immediately surrounded by an impassable wall of brambles.
Throw these scenarios together and add a mysterious and occasionally snarky omniscient narrator and mix well. The result is a truly unusual, albeit somewhat disorienting, novel. It's certainly not the book for everyone, but I'm a fan of really weird books and this fit the bill nicely. Readers won't have any idea what to expect until roughly half-way through when it becomes apparent that there's a bigger story uniting these seemingly disparate adventures. Camp So-and-So blends genres and tropes to create something that feels surprisingly fresh, but readers shouldn't go looking for logic or life-altering revelations. If, however, readers are willing to suspend not only their disbelief, but also their expectations, they're in for a quite a ride.
Cabin 1 is trying to overcome their differences so that they can beat the neighboring fancy-pants camp in a series of classic camp competitions.
The girls of Cabin 2 have found themselves in a blood-drenched nightmare, recalling classic horror tropes.
The girls of Cabin 3 discovered a prophetic-sounding inscription in their cabin. They're on a quest to defeat..something so that they can rescue...something else. They're sure they'll figure it out eventually.
The girls of Cabin 4 have found their soul mates and have grown obsessed.
Cabin 5 was almost immediately surrounded by an impassable wall of brambles.
Throw these scenarios together and add a mysterious and occasionally snarky omniscient narrator and mix well. The result is a truly unusual, albeit somewhat disorienting, novel. It's certainly not the book for everyone, but I'm a fan of really weird books and this fit the bill nicely. Readers won't have any idea what to expect until roughly half-way through when it becomes apparent that there's a bigger story uniting these seemingly disparate adventures. Camp So-and-So blends genres and tropes to create something that feels surprisingly fresh, but readers shouldn't go looking for logic or life-altering revelations. If, however, readers are willing to suspend not only their disbelief, but also their expectations, they're in for a quite a ride.
September 13, 2024
Confusing
May 11, 2018
This book was good. Kadie shows leadership but a little bossiness. This is shown when she is trying to get her bunks mates to have the bond like the ones they had last year
May 23, 2019
This is a wonderfully strange book full of fantasy and magic. It wasn’t what I expected but I certainly enjoyed it.
Read
February 10, 2018Very "Cabin in the Woods," if you like that sort of thing. The premise caught my attention, but the cover copy didn't really match what the story wound up being. Normally, that doesn't bother me, but it's a stylistically intense book. I liked DEAD LIKE ME by Mary McCoy quite a bit. I just wish I'd liked this one more than I did. I'll still look for books by McCoy though.
August 13, 2023
(review later) but immediate thoughts, one of the best books I've read in a LONG TIME
April 14, 2017
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but the description rather intrigued me. And the book certainly didn't disappoint in that regard. The plotting here is masterful as the author tells the story through the eyes of an unknown narrator (unknown until the end that is) with plenty of side comments from said narrator that leave you wondering exactly who this person (?) is. And that doesn't even count the five other story lines, one for each cabin of girls at the camp, each of which takes on a life of its own, until each of the individual story lines comes together at the end.
With 25 girls as well as Tania and her minions who live at a leadership camp across from Camp So-and-So, not to mention Robin, the assistant camp director, as well as the mysterious Inge F. Yancey IV and the mysterious narrator, there are numerous characters to try to keep track of here. Because of the large number of characters, all of whom play a significant part in the story, this book works best for more experienced readers who can manage to keep track of what happens to and with all the different characters, especially since some of the characters aren't even given names.
It's clear from relatively early in the story that there are some supernatural elements at play in the story. This gives the story a rather creepy, mysterious atmosphere. And the complicated collection of events and events makes the book one that is almost impossible to predict. I can safely say that I've never read a book quite like this one.
In terms of content, there is some kissing (girl/girl, girl/boy) as well as a moderate amount of violence (several deaths and almost deaths occur).
All in all though this is a book to share with readers who enjoy the spooky, the odd, and the weird. Even the ending isn't quite what one would expect. This one could make for a pretty awesome book talk.
With 25 girls as well as Tania and her minions who live at a leadership camp across from Camp So-and-So, not to mention Robin, the assistant camp director, as well as the mysterious Inge F. Yancey IV and the mysterious narrator, there are numerous characters to try to keep track of here. Because of the large number of characters, all of whom play a significant part in the story, this book works best for more experienced readers who can manage to keep track of what happens to and with all the different characters, especially since some of the characters aren't even given names.
It's clear from relatively early in the story that there are some supernatural elements at play in the story. This gives the story a rather creepy, mysterious atmosphere. And the complicated collection of events and events makes the book one that is almost impossible to predict. I can safely say that I've never read a book quite like this one.
In terms of content, there is some kissing (girl/girl, girl/boy) as well as a moderate amount of violence (several deaths and almost deaths occur).
All in all though this is a book to share with readers who enjoy the spooky, the odd, and the weird. Even the ending isn't quite what one would expect. This one could make for a pretty awesome book talk.
April 28, 2017
25 girls enter Camp So-and-So, where they're divided into cabins and sent into their own storylines. One must compete against preppy snobs in the All Camp Sport and Follies. One finds they're being chased by a killer. One discovers a quest they must complete. One meets their soul mates. And one must simply fight to survive. But are these individual stories part of a larger scheme, more twisted than any of them can imagine?
Rambling, unfocused, and so stylistically-overdone, this book was such a chore to get through. Just when I felt myself start to become invested in an individual storyline, the author would switch to a different one. This honestly just felt so tedious - McCoy really embraces her style, which is commendable on the one hand, but it absolutely didn't work for me, so I felt like she was bashing me over the head (repeatedly!) with it. The whole ending was resolved really strangely, too, as it felt drawn out and overexplained while simultaneously being incomprehensible.
Rambling, unfocused, and so stylistically-overdone, this book was such a chore to get through. Just when I felt myself start to become invested in an individual storyline, the author would switch to a different one. This honestly just felt so tedious - McCoy really embraces her style, which is commendable on the one hand, but it absolutely didn't work for me, so I felt like she was bashing me over the head (repeatedly!) with it. The whole ending was resolved really strangely, too, as it felt drawn out and overexplained while simultaneously being incomprehensible.
June 9, 2022
Another beauty knocking it out of the park.
This book was amazing. Seriously one of the best I've read this year. Each chapter follows a different cabin of 5 girls. Each cabin is on a different journey and have to overcome insane challenges. I love all the twists. It's one of those books where you have to read it in a short amount of time because you don't know anything at the beginning and you keep learning secrets as you go.
This book was amazing. Seriously one of the best I've read this year. Each chapter follows a different cabin of 5 girls. Each cabin is on a different journey and have to overcome insane challenges. I love all the twists. It's one of those books where you have to read it in a short amount of time because you don't know anything at the beginning and you keep learning secrets as you go.
March 11, 2017
This was interesting and certainly kept me reading! I guess I feel like I maybe needed a little more at the end to tie it all together and explain the camp a little more.
But nicely different from any YA I've read in a while.
But nicely different from any YA I've read in a while.
April 24, 2018
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but it certainly wasn't what I got. Highly addictive, I couldn't put it down until I finished it. There were lots of twists and turns, and the ending was more unexpected than I had originally thought. A definitely must read if you are a fan of trope-heavy horror movies, a la Cabin in the Woods.
October 9, 2020
A mix of "Cabin in the Woods" and "The Unwritten" without the bullshit disappointment of the first or the sweeping scope of the latter, but still a ton of fun.
After I rolled with it through the confusion about what was going on and the "meta" narration, I was sucked in and rooting for the campers wholeheartedly.
After I rolled with it through the confusion about what was going on and the "meta" narration, I was sucked in and rooting for the campers wholeheartedly.
July 30, 2018
This was a strange little novel. The writing style is very different, but once you get past that it is actually pretty good. This is not a horror book, more of fantastical mystery that turns out surprisingly sweet.
May 20, 2021
I really couldn’t put this one down! Even though there were dozens or characters, it never felt confusing or difficult! I really enjoyed it. The book cover throws me off for some reason. It feels very separate from the story.
June 19, 2018
There will be no review. Read this for yourself.
September 10, 2019
I have similar feelings about this book as I do The Library of Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. Both are unconventional novels, and I admire what each is doing, but neither are what I'd call enjoyable reads.
Camp So-and-So is supposed to be a summer camp in the middle of nowhere, where disadvantaged kids are allowed to experience nature and do all kinds of fun camp activities. Instead, the five cabins of campers find themselves in unique nightmare situations. One group is launched into a competition they can't win, one is thrust into the world of a serial killer, one group embarks on a dangerous quest, etc.
I think this is part of the problem for me. The cast of characters is huge - 25 current campers alone, not including counselors and other unsavory creatures lurking about. Some of the campers are unnamed, but others are clearly portrayed as being sympathetic protagonists. I just didn't have enough time to spend with each of them. It was hard to keep track of everyone's names, much less the details. .
I liked some of the twists, but others just didn't work for me. That said, I'm glad I read this book - it was inventive, and not something I'll soon forget.
Camp So-and-So is supposed to be a summer camp in the middle of nowhere, where disadvantaged kids are allowed to experience nature and do all kinds of fun camp activities. Instead, the five cabins of campers find themselves in unique nightmare situations. One group is launched into a competition they can't win, one is thrust into the world of a serial killer, one group embarks on a dangerous quest, etc.
I think this is part of the problem for me. The cast of characters is huge - 25 current campers alone, not including counselors and other unsavory creatures lurking about. Some of the campers are unnamed, but others are clearly portrayed as being sympathetic protagonists. I just didn't have enough time to spend with each of them. It was hard to keep track of everyone's names, much less the details. .
I liked some of the twists, but others just didn't work for me. That said, I'm glad I read this book - it was inventive, and not something I'll soon forget.
September 2, 2018
So I have mixed feelings regarding this book. There were things I liked and things I didn't like.
I really liked the stories of Cabin 1 and 4.
There were too many characters involved in the story so it was really confusing to keep everything in mind sometimes.
Kadie was my favorite in the story. Her leadership skills and sympathy towards others intrigued me the most.
The story had magic, it had tragedy, thrill and teamwork. But it lacked powerful villains unfortunately.
I also liked when the narrator predicted the futures of every girl in the end.
It's a good book, but it takes so much energy to keep track of everything.
I really liked the stories of Cabin 1 and 4.
There were too many characters involved in the story so it was really confusing to keep everything in mind sometimes.
Kadie was my favorite in the story. Her leadership skills and sympathy towards others intrigued me the most.
The story had magic, it had tragedy, thrill and teamwork. But it lacked powerful villains unfortunately.
I also liked when the narrator predicted the futures of every girl in the end.
It's a good book, but it takes so much energy to keep track of everything.
July 20, 2017
I'm really torn between a 3 and a 4, so I'd give this one a 3.5 and round it up to a 4. I really enjoyed the camp setting, the mystery of 5 cabins and their various campers and counselors. What I really wasn't expecting was the paranormal aspects of this book. But I really like it a lot and I loved that I was kept wondering what was really going on. I think the author did a really good job of creating something unique.
April 5, 2017
An absolutely delightful adventure full of magic, mystery and mayhem. Being a prior stage manager I loved the way the story was set up and written, the characters and, of course, the stage manager rules. This would be a great book for any HS book club. There's a great deal to discuss.
July 29, 2017
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book - it was odd, and I'm not sure to whom I should recommend it, but it was a lot of fun, and very creative. It's definitely YA, with some darkness (and some literary references), so for all that it's about a summer camp, I'd keep it teens and up.
August 22, 2021
Two stars because it’s clever. But I object to this trend of including YA books within lists of book recommendations and NOT specifying that they are YA. Nothing against YA fiction whatsoever, I just like to know what is being recommended to me as I tend to not enjoy books aimed at young adults. So loss of stars for feeling duped.
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